Draw bar hitch

ABSTRACT

A flexible bar mechanism in which a hitch means has alternative positions of adjustment relative to a fixed frame of reference. In a first or retracted position the hitch means seats interlockingly to a draw bar frame and forms a rigid part thereof. In a second the hitch means unseats relative to the draw bar frame and may assume varying attitudes to facilitate a required hitch. The invention provides for a smoothly effected movement of the hitch parts, whether to or from the draw bar frame, either manual or powered provision being made for disabling and restoring the wedged relationship of the parts.

United States Patent [191 Schmiesing Nov. 27, 1973 DRAW BAR HITCH [21]App]. No.: 175,445

3 ,588,146 6/1971 Haddox 280/478 8 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Italy280/479 R 460,956 l/l95l Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia Attorney-JeromeP. Bloom 5 7] ABSTRACT A flexible bar mechanism in which a hitch meanshas alternative positions of adjustment relative to a fixed frame ofreference. In a first or retracted position the hitch means seatsinterlockingly to a draw bar frame and forms a rigid part thereof. In asecond the hitch means unseats relative to the draw bar frame and mayassume varying attitudes to facilitate a required hitch. The inventionprovides for a smoothly effected movement of the hitch parts, whether toor from the draw bar frame, either manual or powered provision beingmade for disabling and restoring the wedged relationship of the parts.

13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures DRAW BAR lHITCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to draw bar mechanisms, particularly advantageousfor use on farm tractors to couple thereto ground working and likeimplements. For

purposes of illustration .the invention embodiments will be sodescribed.

Itis desired for security purposes that draw bar apparatus form. arelatively firm .connection between a towingvehicle andthe towedmemberand that there be insured a direct .correspondenceof .the followingmovements of i the towed memberwith respect to changing movements ofthetowing vehicle. 'Too. much rigidity in the connection, .asw.evidencedin many prior art draw .bar devices, lessens flexibility and makes itdifficult to effect a connection betweenthe towing vehicle and thehitch-tongue onthe towed member. For example, in

use offpriorart hitchdevices of limited flexibility, it is necessary tomake a straight lineapproach of the towing vehicle towardthe towedmember tospecifically quired thatthe hitchtongue be manually lifted orlow-.

ered to agreewith theheight of the draw bar prepara tory to-completingthehitch. Ithas beenknownin the prior art to providehitch connectionswhich can be adjusted in permanent and semi-permanent respects. Prior tothe present invention, however, it has not been known to incorporate thecombined features of rigidity and flexibility which characterize thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its illustrated forms the inventionembodiments include a draw bar frame which mounts as a substantiallyrigid beam in anunderslung relation to a tractor, to project from therear thereof. Normally in a substantially wedgingengagement withan'outer end of the draw'bar, to form a fixed part thereof in use, is arelatively extensible hitch means. When released from its wedgingengagement in' the draw bar, the invention hitch means is freelyadjustable in plural senses and readily connected to .a hitch-tongue,irrespective of whether the latter is resting at ground level, iselevated relative to thedraw bar, or isotherwise misaligned. When ahitch is effected and the extensible hitch means retracteid, it oncemore automatically assumes a wedgingengagement with the draw bar frameachieving thereby the character of a device forming with the draw barasubstantially rigid link between the towing and the towed member. Inaccordance with the invention practice, powered or manual means may beemployed toextend and to retraetthe flexible. extensible hitch means.Accessory devices are also provided to selectively lock the hitch meansto the draw bar, to stabilize a hitch plate at the outer end of theextensible hitch means,and toeffect, by remote control, the coupling anduncoupling of the hitch means to a hitch-tongue.

A primary objectofthe invention is to provide a draw Another objectofthe invention is to provide a draw bar mechanism in which a draw barassembly is made rigid for effective towing of a towed member butincorporates independently adjustable hitch means for a simplified,rapid attachment of the towing to the towed member.

Another object of the invention is to utilize a principle of wedgingbetween a complementary draw bar frame and separable hitch means to makepossible its rigidity in towing and flexibility of attachment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a draw bar device for anautomatically stabilizing hitch means. Still another object is toprovide for remote actuation of a hitch pin carried by the hitch means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a draw bar type hitchconstruction possessing the advantageous structural features, theinherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of useherein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

or their equivalents.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a farm tractor embodying draw barmechanism in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention,an extended position of the hitch means being indicated in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section showing the drawbar mechanism as attached to a towed member and with its hitch means ina retracted position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in transverse section, taken substantiallyalong the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, in transverse section taken along theline'4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing the hitch meansin a relatively extended position. and detached from the towed device;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing an alternate form of theinvention embodiment including manual means for extending and retractingthe hitch means;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating a modification of theinvention using cable means for control of the hitch means;

FIG. 8 shows yet a further modification which utilizes a hydraulicremote control means for a hitch pin used in coupling the draw barmechanism to a towed device; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating a simplified embodiment of theinvention wherein the hitch means is controlled by a flexible chain.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

As seen in the drawings, the invention is disclosed in application to afarm tractor 10 wherein it serves to facilitate the coupling thereto offarm working implements. As illustrated, the tractor 10 includes achassis or frame 11 supported by front wheels 12 and rear wheels 13 inelevated relation to a ground surface. 14. A bracket fixed to dependfrom a mid portion of the frame 11 mounts a clevis 15. Pivotallyconnected at one end by a pin 17 to the clevis 15 is a bracket 16 whichhas its opposite end suitably fixed, as by welding, to the innermost endof a draw bar frame 18. The latter positions below and longitudinally ofthe tractor frame 11 to extend beyond the rear of the tractor. Itserves, as will be seen, as a means for support of a hitch deviceproviding for the attachment of ground working and like implements whichare to be pulled behind the tractor.

A pair of upstanding lugs 19 and 21 suitably secured at their lower endsto an intermediate portion of the draw bar frame 18 project above theframe to dispose respectively in front of and to the rear of a bracemember 22 dependent from the tractor frame 1 1. The upper ends of lugs19 and 21 are bridged by a transversely disposed pivot pin mounting aroller 23. As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings, the bracemember 22 provides a track 24 for such roller, which track, as shown,has a relatively elongated arcuate configuration and gives the draw barframe 18 a limited freedom of lateral swinging motion about the pivotpin 17. Accoridngly, lugs 19 and 21 provide, together with the roller23, for an intermediate support of the draw bar frame and, in addition,provides, in conjunction with the brace member 22, for its guidedlateral adjustment.

The section of frame 18 most adjacent the bracket 16 has an elongaterectangular box-like configuration and the top and bottom portionsthereof are open to provide vertically aligned, longitudinally extendedapertures. At its end immediately adjacent the bracket 16, the interiorsurface of this box-like formation has a transverse wall segment fromwhich juts a bracket 18a. Disposing within this box-like portion of theframe 18 is a hydraulic cylinder 25 closed at its respective ends bycaps 26 and 27. Through means of a horizontal pivot pin mounted on thebracket 18a and projected through and transversely of an ear 26aprojected from the end cap 26, the cylinder 25 is pivotally connected atits innermost end to and within the bifurcations 30 of the frame 18.Hydraulic lines 28 and 29 respectively conthrough suitable valve meanswith a source of hydraulic fluid (not shown). The cylinder 25 is of aconventional nature, having contained therein a piston to either side ofwhich the cylinder is filled with hydraulic fluid. Under suitable valvecontrol, fluid under pressure may be alternately moved to and from thecylinder by way of lines 28 and 29 to conventionally reciprocate thecontained piston as and when needs require. The contained piston has inconnection therewith a control rod 31 which projects outwardly of thecylinder through and in bearing relation to the end cap 27. Beyond thecap 27 the projected extremity of the rod 31 mounts a bifurcated lug 32.The projected extremity of the rod 31 and the lug 32 thereon is adaptedto position beyond the portion of frame 18 of box-like configuration andwithin its outwardly flaring box-like end section 33. This projectedsection 33 of the frame 18 is formed to have divergent top and bottomwall sections bridged by further wall sections at their divergent levelextremities. As may be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the rearmostsection 33 of the draw bar frame disposes in a rearwardly projectingrelation to the tractor l and at its enlarged outer end the uppermostedge thereof has a perpendicularly projected flange segment 34 which issuitably fixed thereto. Welded to the bottom of the frame section 33 insubstantially aligned relation to the flange segment 34 are tab means35. The latter are transversely spaced to either side of a slot 36formed in the bottom wall portion of the frame section 33 in the centerof its rearrnost edge. The tabs 35 are transversely bridged by a pinwhich pivotally supports a roller means 37 to orient the same to haveits upper peripheral surface lie in a plane generally common to that ofthe inner surface of the bottom wall portion of the frame section 33.

The lug 32 within the draw bar frame section 33 receives therethrough apivot pin 42. The latter is fixed to transversely bridge the interior ofthe innermost end of a tapered box-like hitch link member 38. The member38 is open to either end and composed of divergent top and bottom wallportions bridged at their lateral extremities by side wall portions, thewhole being so configured as to have its outer surface complementary tothe inner surface of the draw bar frame section 33. Moreover, the member38 is of a length and size that, on full retraction of the rod 31, itwill seat firmly to the inner surface of the frame section 33 and befully contained within its ends. Accordingly, in the projection andretraction of the rod 31 the device 38 will be projected from andretracted within the draw bar frame 18. In the latter case the seatingwill be substantially continuous over the outer surface of the member 37and obviate motion thereof about its longitudinal axis. Thus, withrespect to the member 38, the frame section 33 functions as a socket.

At its innermost reduced extremity and to the side of the rod 31 themember 38 includes a wall extension 41 of tongue form. The tongue 41 hasa pin transverse to its inwardly projected extremity which rotatablymounts thereon a roller 50 the purpose of which will be furtherdescribed. At its outermost end, each of the side walls of the member 38have extensions 43 the projected extremities of which are arcuatelycurved on a uniform radius. Mounting transverse to the extensions 43 isa pin 46. It is noted that the pins 46 and 42 define a central plane ofthe member 38 which includes its longitudinal axis. .The pin 46 liesimmediately within the rearmost enlarged end of the frame section 33 andserves to pivotally mount the rearwardly projected ear 45 fixedperpendicular to an inner surface of a stabilizer plate 44. In itsposition shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the plate 44 is disposed inabutment with and in bridging relation to the enlarged opening from therear end of the draw bar frame 18. So disposed, the upper edge of thebar 44 abuts the rearmost surface of the flange segment 34 and has anextension in line with an aperture 48 in such flange segment. A rod 47extends at one end through the relatively enlarged aperture 48 tohingedly and pivotally connect to said upper extension of a stabilizerplate 44. Adjustably positioned on the rod 47 is a collar member 49incorporating a set screw. The latter serves as a medium for theselected positioning of the member 49. Further mounted about the rod 47is a short coiled spring 51 one end of which is adapted to abut thesurface of flange 34 remote from that abutted in FIG. 2 by thestabilizer plate 44. The opposite end of the spring 51 is adapted forengagement by the collar 49 in a manner and for purposes to be furtherdescribed.

At its outermost face, in line with its pivot mount, the stabilizerplate 44 has a perpendicularly projected car 52 having a centrallypositioned aperture in its outwardly projected extremity. The aperturein the ear 52 is in direct alignment with corresponding apertures in 5spaced apart bearing walls 56 and 57 forming parts of a bracket 58. Thelatter is rigidly mounted to the outer surface and to the upper end ofthe hitch plate 44, in spaced relation to the ear 52 asshown in FIG. 2.A hitch pin 55 is slidingly mounted in the bracket 58 to project throughthe aforementioned apertures in the walls 56 and 57 thereof and, in ahitching position, through the aperture in the car 52. As may be seen inFIG. 2, prior to the projection of the hitch pin 55 through the ear 52,the latter is adapted to be inserted between the jaws of a clevis means53 forming a hitching device connected with the implement or otherdevice to be connected for towing by the tractor 10.

To one side of the hitch pin 55the uppermost surface of the top wall 56of the bracket 58 mounts a perpendicularly projected ear 59 to which oneend of a link 61 is pivotally connected by suitable means. The link 61has its upper and forwardly directed extremity pivotally connected to adisc 62. ,Pivotally connected by suitable universal means to a portionof the tractor chassis immediately adjacent the operator seat 65 is alink 63 the remote end of which is also pivotally connected to the disc62. The respective connections of the links 61 and 63 to the disc 62 areto either side of its center to which is fixed a control handle 64. Asmay be seen, the operator on the seat 65 may achieve a pivotal swingingmotion of the disc 62 through the medium of the handle 64 to selectivelyincrease or decrease the spread between the links 61 and 63. Note thatthe upper end of the hitch pin 55 is provided with an integral loop 55ato which is connected the lowermost end of a control cable 60. Thelatter is guided in eyelets in connection with the link member 61 andspaced longitudinally thereof. The upper end of the cable 60 is alsoconnected to the disc 62. As will be described, with the suitablecontrol of the disc 62 the hitch pin-55 may be raised and lowered inreference to the bracket 58 and the interrelated car 52 of thestabilizer plate 44. The link 61 in any case affords a direct connectionbetween the stabilizer plate and the disc 62 under the control of thehandle 64.

Let us now consider the use and function of the invention apparatus aswas above described. As seen in FIG. 2, the invention apparatus isrigged in a towing position. In such instance the member 38complementary to the draw bar frame section 33 is fully retracted withinthe socket provided by the frame, whereupon the stabilizer plate isperpendicularly positioned to bridge the rearwardly projected extremityof the draw bar frame 18. With the member 38 fully nested in the drawbar frame, the ear 52 is rigidly positioned within the clevis 53 and hasbeen hitched thereto by the pin 55 which has been lowered for thispurpose. The position of the member 38 in its nested position has beeninsured by the retraction of the piston 31 in a conventional manner. Asshown in FIG. 2, a further lock of the elements in position can beachieved by providing in the upper and lower walls of the draw bar framesection 39 and the member 38 aligning apertures which receivetherethrough a lock pin 66. This latter will of course further inhibitany relative longitudinal displacement of the related parts.

When it is desired to break the hitch, that is to detach the towedimplement from the tractor 10, it is merely necessary to swing thehandle 64 upwardly, thereby pivoting the disc 62 to raise the hitch pin55 through the medium of the cable 60 sufficiently to withdraw the .pinfrom the ear 52 and the clevis 53.

When it is desired to receive a further hitch, the operator of thetractor may lift the pin 66 from its locking position, if the same hasbeen utilized, through the me dium of a suitably controlled cable 69.Once the lock pin 66 is clear of the hitch member 38, the cylinder 25may be actuated to project the rod 31. As a result of this, theconnected member 38 is pushed rearwardly and outwardly of the draw barframe section 33, through its rear open ends. In the process, the member38 carries therewith the pivotally connected stabilizer platewhich isadapted to pivot about the curved side wall extensions 43. In theprocess of projection of the member 38, the rod 47 is pulled outwardlythrough the aperture 48 in the flange segment 34, bringing the collar 49into a compressing relation to the spring 51 which exerts a bias of theupper end of the plate 44 tending to maintain its verticle orientation,irrespective of its pivoting in respect to the member 38. The projectionof the member 38 is smooth and gradual, the undersurface thereof ridingon the roller 37 and the roller projected from its rear end supplementsthis smooth riding action as it bears on the upper interior wall surfaceof the member 38. Thus, the apparatus described enables-a gentle gravitylowering of the member 38 to a tilted position as shown in FIG. 5, inwhich position the stabilizer plate 44 is generally perpendicular to theground surface and the ear 52 is projected generally horizontal andparallel to ground surface. Moreover, at this point, the hitch pin is ina fully retracted position, bearing in its accommodating apertures inthe bracket 58.

Thus, as seen, the member 38 is substantially uncontained for a hitchingprocedure and independently movable up and down in reference to the drawbar frame, the movements of the member 38 being facilitated by thebearing relation of the rollers 37 and 50. Moreover, attention isdirected to the fact that a lateral and limited springing movement ofthe draw bar frame per se may be accommodated. Accordingly, thestabilizer plate and its hitching ear 52 may be variously positioned toaccommodate the position of the clevis means 53 of the implement whichis to be towed. The means 53 may be at ground level as indicated inbroken lines in FIG. 1 or any other position within a wide range ofaccommodation of the hitch. means subscribed. In any case, the operatormay readily control the positioning of the stabilizer plate by theplural means provided so that it will be automatically positioned so thetractor may be maneuvered and the car 52 slipped within the clevis 53,whereupon the operator may swing the handle 64 in the disc 62 from thefull line position as shown in FIG. 1 to the position required forhitching as described. The latter is generally indicated, by way ofillustration, in broken lines in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Withtheconnection achieved as described, which occurs without involvedhandling of the apparatus or the implement to be towed, the controls forthe cylinder 25 can be operated once more to retract the rod 31thereof.. It will be obvious that on retraction of the rod 31, throughthe medium of the pin 42 the member 38 section 33. The member 38 'willbe smoothly guided into a retracted nested position as shown in FIG. 2

whereupon the controls 62, 64 will be so positioned to place the handlethereof once more in the reach of the operator of the tractor. In theprocess, the stabilizer plate has been caused to assume an abuttedrelation to the rear end of the draw bar frame wherein it issubstantially perpendicular to ground surface, the clevis 53 beinglifted accordingly and the connected implement properly orientedthereby. This whole function of effecting a connection and properlyorienting the towed implement or vehicle is not only smoothly achievedbut the same is essentially automatic in operation. Of course, as thestabilizer plate is positioned for towing, the rod 47 is caused to beprojected to relieve the compression on the spring 51.

Attention is directed to the fact that while there is a firm connection,the hitch will accommodate a limited pivoting of the towed implement andsuch displacement will be accommodated to a degree by the limitedlateral adjustment permitted by the connection at 17 of the draw barframe to the tractor.

Substantial components of stress may be generated during the retractionof the apparatus to a towing position and it will be seen that thebearing rollers 37 and 50 are of substantial value in reducing frictionand otherwise insuring a smooth, fast and easy retraction of the hitchmeans into the draw bar frame. As noticed-previously, the rod 47 and thespring 51 thereon jointly provides stabilizing means to maintain thehitch plate 44 in a substantially vertical position despite whatevertilting movements of the hitch member 38 may be required. Thearrangement is such to facilitate any hitching procedure and the returnof the stabilizer plate to its proper position for towing procedures.

As noted above, the lock pin 66 may or may not be utilized. In case itis, a suitable mount 71 may be provided on the frame section 33 toprovide a bearing keeper for the pin when it is retracted and not inuse. Thus, one may have each supplemental locking means to insure thatonce the hydraulic mechanism seats the apparatus in a towing position noinadvertent accident will disable the tow connection.

Attention is directed to FIG. 6 which shows a very inexpensive manuallycontrolled hitch means embodying certain features of the automaticallyacting apparatus above described. Here a basic draw bar 72 forattachment to a tractor frame in the manner similar to the draw barframe 18 terminates in an outwardly flaring body 73 forming a socket thecavity of which is gradually expanded to its open rearmost extremity.Adapted to nest in the socket provided by the member 73 is acomplementary formed hitch device 74. The device 74 is adapted, likemember 38, to wedgingly nest, in a retracted position, in the socketprovided by the enclosing frame member 73. In this instance a rod 75 isconnected to have one end thereof project through an opening 76 in thebase of the body 73 and pivotally attach to the inner or reduced end ofthe hitch means 74. At its outer end of the rod 75 is accessible formanual operation and formed with a bent portion providing a handleportion 77. As may be seen, by manually grasping the handle 77 the rod75 may be projected inwardly of the inner end of the body 73 andwithdrawn therefrom. In this manner and as a result of extending andretracting movements of the rod 75, the hitch means 74 may beselectively projected from and retracted in the body 73. Fixed to bridgethe outer end of the body 44, perpendicular to its longitudinal axis isa hitch plate incorporating on its outermost face a perpendicularlyprojected suitably apertured hitching car 52'. It will be seen that atthe lower and rearmost projected edge of the body 73 forming the socketfor the member 74 there is a central slot and means mounting forrotation therein a bearing roller 37'. The latter will serve to smooththe projection and retraction of the body 74 in an obvious manner.

While this last described embodiment does not have the flexibility norutility of that above described, nevertheless, it does provide a uniqueconcept of a means for simply effecting a hitch for less difficultapplications. As is obvious, once the ear 52 is inserted and a hitchclevis 53 on a medium to be towed and a pin is applied to achieve acoupling, one need only draw forwardly on the handle 77 to retract andnest the body 74 in the socket provided by the body 73, the whole beingfacilitated by the bearing roller 37. In this practical embodiment ofthe invention concept there will be a lock pin 78 projectable throughaligning apertures in the body 73 and the member 74 when the latter isfully retracted. Thus, the apparatus may be locked in a towing positionwhich will be maintained until one desires to break the hitch byremoving the pin 78 and moving the tractor to which the draw bar 72connects slightly forward of the towed vehicle. The use and applicationof this simple manual embodiment of the invention concept is believedobvious as well as the fact that its application is intended in respectto towing of elements which may be easily handled and coupled.

Referring again to the preferred embodiment of the invention such asillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 and above described, FIG. 7 illustratesa mode of control for projection and retraction of the hitch member 38other than that provided by the hydraulic cylinder 25 and the associatedmechanism including its projected rod 31. As shown in FIG. 7, in thiscase a lever 79 may be positioned on a tractor chassis for operatoradjustment to alternate positions with respect to a mounting bracket 81.A cable anchored at one end to the tractor frame may be caused to rideup and over a pulley-like bearing device mounted to one side of andadjacent the upper end of the lever 79, from which point it is extendeddownward to pass over an idler pulley 83. From the pulley 83, the cable82 is extended rearwardly and about a pulley 84 and from therethrough abracket 85 on a draw bar 86. The latter mounts to the tractor frame in amanner similar to the draw bar frame 18 and terminates at its rearwardlyprojected extremity in a socket device corresponding in configuration tothe frame section 33 and here identified by the numeral 87. Positioningwithin the socket forming body 87 is a complementary formed hitch means88 adapted in a retracted position to firmly nest in the body 87. Thecable 82 is directed through the forwardmost or base end of the body 87to attach to the innermost end of the hitch means 88, the connectionbeing similar to that pro.- vided between the rod 31 and the member 38.As a result of this connection, it will be seen that with the lever 79in its uppermost position the cable 82 will be tensioned to pull thehitch device 88 into a retracted and seated position within the body 87.In this embodiment of the invention, to project the hitch means 88 forcoupling purposes, a compression spring 89 is provided which is based toone end on the bracket 85 and extends through an. opening in theadjacent end of the body 87, bearing against the innermost reducedextremity of the hitch means 88. In the retracted position of the hitchmeans 88 the lever 79 is anchored by means of suitable detents so thatthe spring 89 is maintained under compression. When one desires toproject the member 88, one merely releases the detent and under theinfluence of spring means 89 the hitch means will be projected from itsnested relation in the housing 87. In this modification of theinvention, there may be incorporated in the rear end of the body 87 andrear end of the hitch means 88 suitable bearing rollers to servefunctions such as those provided by the roller members 37 and 50 in afirst instance. Depending on the applications desired, the hitch means88 may be of the nature and formations such as represented by the body74 in FIG. 6 of the drawings or by the member 38 and associatedstructure in FIG. 5. Of course, if there is to be a pivoted stabilizerplate as preferred, suitable control structure will be provided asdescribed with reference to FIG. 5.

Looking to FIG. 8 of the drawings, there is here simply shown thehydraulic control for the hitch pin labelled as 55 in the embodimentfirst described. This control would eliminate the need for the linkageincluding members 61 through 64 inclusive.

In the example of FIG. 8 a hitch plate 91 is shown to pivotally attachto a hitch means 92, the elements corresponding generally to the members44 and 38. The draw bar frame accommodating the member 92 is designatedby the numeral 93. The plate 91, moreover, mounts a projected aperturedear 94 corresponding to the car 52 and is under the limiting control andstabilizing influence of a rod 103 and spring 104 in the same manner asthe hitch plate 44. The eat 94 is adapted for insertion between the jawsof clevis means 95 on a tow bar 96 projected from the implement to betowed. A pin 97 as adapted to be inserted in the aligning apertures inthe ear 94 and clevis means 95 to interconnect the parts and in thisinstance the pin is at the lower end of the rod 98 extensible andretractible in response to hydraulic influences applied to the hydrauliccontrol cylinder 99. The latter contains a piston which is suitablycontrolled in a conventional manner to project or retract the rod 98 bysuitable remote controls in an obvious manner. As shown, the cylinder 99can be mounted to a plate 91a which is made integral withor otherwisesecured to the plate 91. The arrangement is such that the cylinder andits piston rod always orient perpendicular to the ear 94. Pin 97 is thusalways properly aligned for insertion or withdrawal as described.

FIG. 9 reveals a further embodiment of the invention wherein a draw barframe 107 may be of cylindrical or tubular form and the hitch means 108of conical peripheral configuration may nest in this outer end in aretracted position, with its bottom portion in bearing relation to aroller 109 mounted in a slot in the rearmost lower edge of the tube 107.Fixed in bridging relation to the conical member 108 is a stabilizerplate 105 which in the retracted position bridges the tube 107 at itsrearmost extremity and has perpendicularly projected from the center ofits outer surface a coupling car 110. The simple control for the device108, 105, 110 is a chain 106 which may be paid out to release the member108 for coupling purposes or retracted to wedgingly nest the hitchmember 108 in the rearmost end of the tube 107. As far as the controlsrefer the chain 106, these may be of any suitable nature. In any event,the embodiment contemplates a condition wherein there has to be arelatively simple and short displacement of the hitch means to positionits coupling ear for connection to a member to be towed by a couplingpin.

Common to each of the above described embodiments is the inventionconcept of relatively nesting elements consisting of a draw bar frameand a hitch means, the=latter of which may be smoothly guided to andfrom a nested retracted towing position in a simple and easy manner.

In summary, the invention provides a most unique concept including thepreferred and most flexible embodiment such as represented in FIGS. 1through 5.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effectand the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A draw bar mechanism adapted to provide a substantially rigidconnection between a vehicle such as a tractor or the like and a towedmeans, including a draw bar terminating in a hitch means, with meanssupport ing said hitch means for independent movement to relativelyextend and retracted positions, in the former of which it is capable ofadjustment for greater flexibility in the making of a connection to thetowed means and in the latter of which it is adapted to serve as a rigidpart of the draw bar, said draw bar providing a recessed seat to whichsaid hitch means is drawn in a retracted position of the parts, saidhitch means having an outer end to dispose in projecting relation tosaid seat, a hitch plate pivotally 'connectedto the outer end of saidhitch means, and means relating said draw bar and said hitch plate tostabilize the position of said hitch plate relative to said hitch meansduring relative movement of said hitch means in extending and retractingstrokes.

2. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 1, characterized by aslidable hitch pin carried by said hitch plate, and remote control meansfor operating said hitch pin.

3. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said remote controlmeans includes a hydraulic actuator connected to said pin to effectpowered actuation thereof.

4. A draw bar mechanism, including a rigid draw bar frame, terminatingat one end in an end section having an outer end flaring relatively toan inner end, power means disposed in said frame in a substantiallyaligned straight-line relation to said end section, a hitch-link memberreceived in said end section and extensible and retractable relativelythereto, an actuating rod pivotally interconnecting said power means andsaid hitch-link member through the said inner end of said end section, astabilizing plate pivotally connected to said hitch-link member throughthe said flaring outer end of said end section, and hitch pinaccommodating means on said stabilizer plate.

5. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said hitch-linkmember is carried between said actuating rod and said stabilizing platewith freedom of pivotal motion relative to both thereof.

6. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said actuating rodis projected substantially in the axis of said draw bar frame to entersaid end section through the inner end thereof and within said endsection is pivotally attached to said hitch-link member.

7. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 5, characterized by meansyieldingly to maintain said stabiliz ing plate in a predeterminedposition of angularity relative to said hitch-link member.

8. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 6,

' wherein said end section and said hitch-like member have complementarybox-like configurations, said hitch-like member in a retracted positionthereof seating in said end section and in an extending motion tendingto tilt relatively to said end section, and anti-friction means carriedby said hitch-link member operative in a tilted attitude of saidhitch-link member to ride a wall of said end section.

9. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said draw barframe is adapted for support in underslung relation to a towing vehiclewith the other end thereof being constructed for pivotal attachment tosuch vehicle to provide for a lateral relative swinging motion of saidframe.

10. A draw bar mechanism adapted to connect a towing vehicle and a towedmeans, including a draw bar frame attachable to the towed vehicle, hitchmeans movably mounted in the outer end of said frame to be extensibleand retractable relatively thereto, said hitch means including arelatively adjustable hitch pin, linkage pivotally attached at its oneend to said hitch means and adapted at its other end pivotally to attachto the towing vehicle, and remote control means comprised in saidlinkage for adjusting said hitch pin.

11. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said linkageincludes at least a pair of angularly related links and aninterconnecting and intermediately disposed disc member, said remotecontrol means including a handle mounted on said disc member and a cableleading to said' hitch pin.

12. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said hitch meansis extensible to facilitate completion of a hitch,.said linkage beingconnected to said hitch means to be inherently selfadjustable responsiveto extension and retraction of said hitch means and positioning saidremote control means for adjustment of said hitch pin in any extended orretracted position of said hitch means.

13. A draw bar mechanism adapted to provide a substantially rigidconnection between a vehicle such as a tractor or the like and a towedmeans, including a draw bar terminating in a hitch means, with meanssupporting said hitch means for independent movement to relativelyextended and retracted positions, in the former of which it is capableof adjustment for greater flexibility in the making of a connection tothe towed means and in the latter of which it is adapted to serve as arigid part of the draw bar, said draw bar forming a socket body open atits outer end and having a wall portion inclining toward said outer end,said hitch means being received in said socket body through the openouter end thereof and having a complementary portion which in anextended position is projected from a seat in said socket body and whichin a retracted position is returned to a seat therein, reciprocablemeans extending into said socket body through an inner end thereof andattached to said hitch means in a manner to permit relative tiltingmovement thereof, and anti-friction means on said hitch meanssubstantially out of contact with said socket body in a retractedposition of said hitch means and adapted to engage and to ride saidinclined wall portion of said socket body responsive to tilting movementof said hitch means to guide tilting movements of said hitch means.

1: UNITED S'IATEISPATENTQOFFEE 1 1 IT] CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentNo. 3,774,943 Dated November EL 1973 Inventor(s) G'v'p-q'nry F-Ir-"nm-iracing It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1, line 52, retracteid is amended to read retracted Col. 3, line21, "coridngly" is amended to read cordingly Col. 5, line 39,. "05 isamended to read on Col. line 18 of (first occurrence) should. be amendedto read 011*.-

Col. ll, Claim 8, line 2, hitch-like is amended to read hitch-lin line4, 'hitch like is amel-zded to read hitchlink Col. 12, Claim 12, line 4,"selfadjustable" is amended to read self-adjustable Signed andsealedthis 17th day of September 197 (SEAL) Attest:

Mc COY M. GIBSON, JR. (1. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer CommissionerofIPatents FORM pwwso no'sg) v USCOMM-DC coon-P59 v Q i U.S. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE ISIS 0-356-834,

1. A draw bar mechanism adapted to provide a substantially rigidconnection between a vehicle such as a tractor or the like and a towedmeans, including a draw bar terminating in a hitch means, with meanssupporting said hitch means for independent movement to relativelyextend and retracted positions, in the former of which it is capable ofadjustment for greater flexibility in the making of a connection to thetowed means and in the latter of which it is adapted to serve as a rigidpart of the draw bar, said draw bar providing a recessed seat to whichsaid hitch means is drawn in a retracted position of the parts, saidhitch means having an outer end to dispose in projecting relation tosaid seat, a hitch plate pivotally connected to the outer end of saidhitch means, and means relating said draw bar and said hitch plate tostabilize the position of said hitch plate relative to said hitch meansduring relative movement of said hitch means in extending and retractingstrokes.
 2. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 1, characterized bya slidable hitch pin carried by said hitch plate, and remote controlmeans for operating said hitch pin.
 3. A draw bar mechanism according toclaim 2 wherein said remote control means includes a hydraulic actuatorconnected to said pin to effect powered actuation thereof.
 4. A draw barmechanism, including a rigid draw bar frame, terminating at one end inan end section having an outer end flaring relatively to an inner end,power means disposed in said frame in a substantially alignedstraight-line relation to said end section, a hitch-link member receivedin said end section and extensible and retractable relatively thereto,an actuating rod pivotally interconnecting said power means and saidhitch-link member through the said inner end of said end section, astabilizing plate pivOtally connected to said hitch-link member throughthe said flaring outer end of said end section, and hitch pinaccommodating means on said stabilizer plate.
 5. A draw bar mechanismaccording to claim 4, wherein said hitch-link member is carried betweensaid actuating rod and said stabilizing plate with freedom of pivotalmotion relative to both thereof.
 6. A draw bar mechanism according toclaim 5, wherein said actuating rod is projected substantially in theaxis of said draw bar frame to enter said end section through the innerend thereof and within said end section is pivotally attached to saidhitch-link member.
 7. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 5,characterized by means yieldingly to maintain said stabilizing plate ina predetermined position of angularity relative to said hitch-linkmember.
 8. A draw bar mechanism according to claim 6, wherein said endsection and said hitch-like member have complementary box-likeconfigurations, said hitch-like member in a retracted position thereofseating in said end section and in an extending motion tending to tiltrelatively to said end section, and anti-friction means carried by saidhitch-link member operative in a tilted attitude of said hitch-linkmember to ride a wall of said end section.
 9. A draw bar mechanismaccording to claim 5, wherein said draw bar frame is adapted for supportin underslung relation to a towing vehicle with the other end thereofbeing constructed for pivotal attachment to such vehicle to provide fora lateral relative swinging motion of said frame.
 10. A draw barmechanism adapted to connect a towing vehicle and a towed means,including a draw bar frame attachable to the towed vehicle, hitch meansmovably mounted in the outer end of said frame to be extensible andretractable relatively thereto, said hitch means including a relativelyadjustable hitch pin, linkage pivotally attached at its one end to saidhitch means and adapted at its other end pivotally to attach to thetowing vehicle, and remote control means comprised in said linkage foradjusting said hitch pin.
 11. A draw bar mechanism according to claim10, wherein said linkage includes at least a pair of angularly relatedlinks and an interconnecting and intermediately disposed disc member,said remote control means including a handle mounted on said disc memberand a cable leading to said hitch pin.
 12. A draw bar mechanismaccording to claim 10, wherein said hitch means is extensible tofacilitate completion of a hitch, said linkage being connected to saidhitch means to be inherently selfadjustable responsive to extension andretraction of said hitch means and positioning said remote control meansfor adjustment of said hitch pin in any extended or retracted positionof said hitch means.
 13. A draw bar mechanism adapted to provide asubstantially rigid connection between a vehicle such as a tractor orthe like and a towed means, including a draw bar terminating in a hitchmeans, with means supporting said hitch means for independent movementto relatively extended and retracted positions, in the former of whichit is capable of adjustment for greater flexibility in the making of aconnection to the towed means and in the latter of which it is adaptedto serve as a rigid part of the draw bar, said draw bar forming a socketbody open at its outer end and having a wall portion inclining towardsaid outer end, said hitch means being received in said socket bodythrough the open outer end thereof and having a complementary portionwhich in an extended position is projected from a seat in said socketbody and which in a retracted position is returned to a seat therein,reciprocable means extending into said socket body through an inner endthereof and attached to said hitch means in a manner to permit relativetilting movement thereof, and anti-friction means on said hitch meanssubstantially out of contact with said socket body in a retractedposition of said hitch means and adapted to engage and to ride saidincliNed wall portion of said socket body responsive to tilting movementof said hitch means to guide tilting movements of said hitch means.